Tag: supplements

In December I traveled to New Orleans for Shiftcon, an eco-wellness influencer conference. Not only did I meet other wonderful bloggers and influencers, came home with lots of swag, I also learned a TON!

One person that left a lasting impression on me was Dr. Tieraona Low Dog M.D. I had the pleasure to listen to her talk about how our society is dangerously lacking in certain vitamins and nutrients. It was interesting and eye-opening to say the least. I never realized how many factors can affect what vitamins and nutrients our bodies are obtaining.

Some examples:

non-GMO and/or organic cereals are not fortified. If your diet consists of these items, you are not receiving the correct amounts of Vitamins B1, B2, B3. B5, B9, B12, C, iron and calcium!

Iron is the most common nutrient deficiency in the world.

If you are taking prescription medications, these medications can deplete certain vitamins and nutrients you eat daily. If you eat extremely healthy, you still may not getting the correct amounts of vitamins and nutrients due to the medications.

You may be eating healthy, but eating foods such as fruits and vegetables that have traveled long distances to get to your plate causes them to lose some of their most important benefits.

These were just a few examples of the many that can determine what your body is getting on a daily basis.

A common misconception, by a lot of Americans, is to take a bunch of vitamins and supplements, eat what they want and they will be okay. It is important to remember that vitamins and supplements are there to bridge the gapof the healthy lifestyle you should already be living. This means eating the correct amounts of fruits, vegetables, proteins, etc. every day. If you live a healthy lifestyle and fill in the gaps with the correct and trusted vitamins and supplements, you will feel amazing.

When I left Shiftcon I knew that I wanted to do my research and figure out what I needed to feel my best and to allow my body to function at its best. I started by reading Dr. Low Dog’s book, Fortify Your Life. I cannot recommend this book enough! You will learn about why you need each vitamin and mineral, what it does, what population may be more depleted in it, and how much you should be getting each day.

This book is not going to tell you exactly what you need to take and when. Each person is different. Fortify Your Life is a book that guides you in becoming more educated and creating a plan that works for you. Dr. Low Dog will break down each vitamin, mineral, and common nutraceuticals. Within each breakdown she will share:

What it does

Food sources

Signs of deficiency

Risks of deficiency

Supplement considerations

Partner nutrients

Special populations

In the back of the book she also breaks down:

Supplements for common ailments such as ADHD, Celiac Disease, anxiety, depression, and more.

Common laboratory tests you should ask your doctor to run.

Popular prescription drug-nutrient depletion’s and interactions.

Fortify Your Life is a resource and tool for you to take responsibility of your health. It is a great way to start a conversation with your doctor!

After I read the book, I went ahead and kept a daily food journal for about a week. This helped me keep track of how much protein, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, iron, and so on that I was receiving from my diet. I could then conclude what I needed to improve on eating wise and what I needed to bridge the gap.

I then created a chart that listed all of the common vitamins and minerals Dr. Low Dog discussed in her book. I went through what her daily recommendations were for me personally. My dosages are completely different then a teenage boy, or a woman who has been through menopause, or a pregnant woman. It’s also important to remember, that whatever your dosages may be now, they may change as you grow older, begin taking a medication, become pregnant, etc. You will need to make adjustments as you grow, your habits change, and your life changes.

After I created my chart with what my personal dosages were, I found a trustworthy multi-vitamin that hit the majority of the recommended dosages for myself. I highly recommend, Megafood. Dr. Low Dog has partnered with Megafood to create a line of gender specific multivitamins, so you know you are receiving the best. I compared the label on the vitamins to my chart and discovered that the Multi for Women was the perfect fit for me. I then knew there was a shortage in my Vitamin B’s and Vitamin D, so decided to also supplement with Balanced B Complex and Vitamin D3. I am also taking a daily probiotic and a few days a week add Daily Maca Plus for Women to my coffee.

Since I have added these vitamins and supplements to bridge the gap in my already healthy lifestyle, I have felt great! I have also learned about what each vitamin and mineral does. If I am feeling sluggish in the afternoon I know I may need to boost my Vitamin B a little bit, instead of turning to some sort of unhealthy energy drink.